These past two months have been unusual to say the least. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented an array of challenges for all of us. As your pastor, I truly miss seeing you all in person! But I am so proud of the ways that you have “shown up” to be the church outside the four walls of the CVC building. I’m so grateful to hear and see how you have continued to give of your time, talents, and treasure to advance the Kingdom of God during these uncertain times. Thank you!!

Our CVC Team has been working hard to continue to provide opportunities for our church family to WORSHIP the Lord, to meet virtually in GROUPS, and to SERVE those in need. We want you to stay healthy and stay connected to each other as you grow closer to Christ. We are committed to continuing to provide you with these opportunities in the weeks and months to come as we work toward regathering at CVC.

Governor DeWine has been unfolding the Responsible Restart Ohio plan. We want to continue to follow the guidelines of those in authority over us and take necessary precautions for reopening the CVC building, demonstrating to our surrounding community that we are people who lead with love and care for the health of others. Our Elders and Leadership Team have been planning what that will look like for us. As of this writing, it looks like this plan is going to unfold in three phases.

WHAT ARE THE THREE PHASES OF THE “REGATHERING” PLAN? Here’s a brief snapshot of what the three phases will look like:

Phase One—Meeting outside at CVC

Phase Two—Meeting inside the building at CVC with safety modifications in place (safe distancing requirements, wearing masks, limited seating capacity in the Worship Center, no childcare, etc.)

Phase Three—Meeting inside the building at CVC without modifications

WHEN DOES PHASE ONE BEGIN?We’re planning to kick off Phase One—what we’re calling “Church on the Lawn”—on Sunday, June 7. This will be an outdoor worship venue on our front lawn and in the parking lot. We’ll meet at 6:30pm (weather permitting) for about an hour. Be sure to check our website or our CVC Facebook page in case we have to cancel due to bad weather.

We realize that not everyone will feel comfortable gathering even in an outdoor venue and we totally understand! We’re counting on you to follow the recommendations of governing authorities as well as the leading of the Holy Spirit as you consider how and when to re-engage in church community in person. We just want to provide an opportunity for those of you who feel ready to safely come back onsite and worship together.

For those who are not comfortable coming back onsite yet, and in case weather does not cooperate, we will continue to provide online worship services on Sunday mornings at 9:30am and 11am.

Here are some additional details about Church on the Lawn:

Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on.

Please maintain a safe distance from other families.

There will be an option to stay in your car and tune in to the service using your radio.

Masks are not required outside.

Families will worship together–childcare will not be provided.

Main level restrooms in the building will be available if you need them.

Another step you can take toward phasing back into community with other believers is to invite a few people from your LifeGroup into your home to watch Sunday morning service with you. Groups of 10 or less are of course recommended, and only gather if you are able to do so without risking anyone’s health.

WHEN WILL PHASE TWO BEGIN? I’m sure many of you are wondering—when can we gather in person inside the CVC building? The short answer is we still don’t know. Although the signs of Responsible Restart Ohio are very promising, there are several factors that still make it difficult for us to know exactly when we will be able to gather for large, in-person Sunday worship services.

WHAT FACTORS ARE IMPACTING LARGE, IN-PERSON SUNDAY GATHERINGS?You might notice that some churches in Northeast Ohio are already meeting, while other churches like CVC are going to have to wait a bit longer. There are a few specific factors that will keep our church family from being one of the first churches to resume large, in-person Sunday gatherings.

Number of PeopleOne of the primary factors that will delay our ability to meet in large, in-person worship gatherings is simply the number of people that regularly attend on a typical Sunday. We will not be able to accommodate our normal attendance while maintaining safe distancing. We’re looking at ways to allow as many of you onsite as possible while maintaining appropriate physical distance, but we will definitely have a lower-than-normal capacity in our Worship Center until we are given an “all clear” to resume meeting without having to maintain a certain distance.

Potentially Distracting RequirementsThere are a number of health requirements (i.e. wearing face masks, seating limitations, regulations on interpersonal engagement, etc.) that although they are beneficial to public health, are not ideal in a worship environment. We are as eager as you are to get back inside the building and worship together, but these will be tricky times as we do our best to keep everyone safe in the process. We love being able to greet one another with handshakes and hugs, sit right next to our friends, and not have to wear masks at church. But in order to meet safely, we’ll have to make some adjustments. Please be prepared to adjust with us.

HOW WILL THE CVC ELDERS AND LEADERSHIP TEAM DETERMINE WHEN & HOW WE CAN GATHER AGAIN FOR LARGE, IN-PERSON WORSHIP GATHERINGS?

We will continue to pray! Our first priority is to listen to and follow Jesus — not just in this season, but in every season of our life with Him. We are actively praying and seeking wisdom from the Lord about when and how to gather in larger ways in the weeks and months ahead.

We will seek to honor our governing authorities.We want to obey the Scriptures by honoring our state/city governing authorities as long as their guidelines don’t conflict with the ways of Jesus. For the time being, this means we will work hard to honor the recommendations given to us by our local and state leaders.

We will consult with a medical team. We have assembled a team of people in our church family who are medical professionals. We are asking for their input and recommendations as we make plans for regathering.

We will make choices based on the mission Jesus has given our church family.If this includes resuming our large, in-person gatherings in the coming weeks, then praise God — we will do just that! But if we need to meet in smaller, more agile spaces and gatherings for the next few weeks or longer to best accomplish Jesus’ mission, then praise God — we will do just that! God’s mission has never been limited by the size of a worship gathering or to a physical building, and we are confident He is leading the way during this unusual season.

WHAT DO WE DO UNTIL JUNE 7? We are admittedly taking a conservative approach to regathering onsite at CVC. Please know that this is for your safety. We realize that people have varying opinions on how soon to come back together, but we are doing our best to navigate these uncharted territories with wisdom and faith. Here’s what we would encourage you to do in the meantime:

If you feel comfortable and able to do so safely, gather in your home with a few people (in groups of 10 or less) to worship & participate with the Sunday Live Stream each week. This could include friends from your LifeGroup, a neighbor, a co-worker, or your “one.” You can also enjoy fellowship, worship, Bible study, and service opportunities during the week.

IT’S NOT SAFE FOR ME TO LEAVE HOME JUST YET, WHAT CAN I DO?We will continue to provide online Worship Services on Sunday mornings at 9:30am and 11am. We have no intention of removing this option even once we are able to gather in the building again. If you’re having trouble connecting or you need our help in another way, please let us know by emailing us at connect@cvconline.org. We want to help you stay as connected as possible during this time while you stay safe at home.

I love you, church family! Please pray for our leaders as we make decisions in the coming weeks and months. Our CVC team will be offering more updates as they become available.

This Sunday, Pastor Chad will be sharing some news about our plans to “Regather” at CVC. We miss everyone! We want to phase back into connecting in person while also maintaining caution and care for our church family. We realize that there are many differing opinions on how and when to come back together and that some people may not agree with the plans we’re making. In light of that, we wanted to encourage all of you with this article from the Gospel Coalition. As we navigate these uncertain times, let’s do so in unity as the body of Christ!

This past week, we encouraged CVCers to find a verse in the Bible that will help build their faith when they are feeling outnumbered and overwhelmed. Then we sang the song “One Thing remains” and challenged everyone to find a truth from scripture – a verse – that the song referenced.

Here are some Scriptures referenced in the song “One Thing Remains.” (Note: The song lyrics are in bold typeface and the Scriptures are in italics.)

I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades (Revelation 1:18).

Constant through the trial and the change

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

One thing remains
This one thing remains

Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? (Psalm 118:4-6).

Your love never fails, and never gives up
It never runs out on me

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Because on and on and on and on it goes

Love never ends (I Corinthians 13:8a).

Before it overwhelms and satisfies my soul

For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things (Psalm 107:9).

And I never, ever, have to be afraid

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).

In death, and in life
I’m confident and covered by the power of your great love

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).

My debt is paid,

[He has] forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross (Colossian 2:13b-14).

There’s nothing that can separate
My heart from Your great love

Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever (Psalm 136:26).

***

As you can see, the songs we sing at CVC are full of references to Scripture.

So, which of these Scriptures means the most to you when you are feeling overwhelmed and outnumbered? What steps will you take to memorize that particular passage? Who will you ask to help you? When will you start?

Last week I asked on Facebook, “When you felt overwhelmed and outnumbered and you didn’t know what to do, what song of worship and praise helped you keep trusting so you could take the next step with God?”

New month = new challenge! We’re inviting all of you to band together and fight for our growth through this May 31 Day Challenge! This month’s challenge will give you some structure by leaning into Worship, Groups, and Serve areas. Click here for more details on how you can get involved!

As you have most likely heard, Congress recently passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security act (CARES) which, among other things, will provide financial relief up to $1,200 per adult and $500 per child under age 17 to those who qualify. You can learn more about the CARES act here. As people have started receiving their funds, I have received many questions regarding how to best use the money.

The specific answers I give may vary depending on where the person falls on the spectrum of personal finances. However, the one constant I share with everyone is “No matter what you do with the money, you should honor God.” Why do I say that? One of my favorite verses in the Old Testament comes from King David as he is praying in anticipation of the temple being built:

“But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.”

For David, everything in life was about God. He believed it all came from God and belonged to God. He understood he was a steward, entrusted to manage the resources given to him, not for his benefit, but for God’s benefit. David’s purpose was to honor God with all that he had. Following his example, we should do our best to honor God with what we have, whether that’s a little or a lot.

Here are some ideas for honoring God with your stimulus payment based on where you are along the spectrum of personal finances:

Are you struggling or in a financial crisis?

If you are currently out of work or underemployed and do not have enough resources to meet your obligations, life can seem scary right now. However, if you trust in God and His truth you can move from a place of fear to a position of faith. Read 20 Ways to Apply God’s Truth to Your Financial Crisis if you need Biblical guidance beyond ideas for your stimulus payment.

Give. (2 Corinthians 8:2-3) We see the church of Corinth who, in a test of affliction and severe poverty, was generous out of an “abundance of joy.” No matter how much or how little, being outwardly focused on blessing and serving others brings us joy in the midst of crisis.

Take care of your family and prioritize your spending. (1 Timothy 5:8) Start with the “four walls” essentials: food, utilities, shelter, and transportation. After that, prioritize your expenses from most important (such as medical or insurance) to least important (unsecured debt such as credit cards) and pay them in that order.

Are you stable but living paycheck to paycheck?

If you are meeting your monthly obligations but there is no margin for you to do anything else, it can sometimes feel like you are walking a tightrope with no net. Here are some ideas for you to relieve some of your anxiety using your stimulus payment.

Give. (Luke 16:10-11) Be faithful with what God has given to you and honor Him. God does not need your money, but He does want your heart. Giving with an open hand to God’s purposes will move your heart towards Him and increase your faith.

Start an emergency savings account. (Proverbs 21:20) While it may seem emotionally hard to do, having an emergency fund gives you a cushion for when life happens. With no margin, a small emergency can quickly turn into a larger problem. Consider setting aside $500-$1,000 in a separate account. Do not be tempted to use it for anything less than a true emergency.

Pay off debt. (Proverbs 22:7) While the Bible never calls debt a sin, it discourages and equates it with being in bondage and a curse. Anyone who’s had a lot of debt will heartily agree. After you give some and fund an emergency savings account, consider applying the remainder towards debt. In most cases, I suggest paying them from smallest to largest as studies show that this method pays off debt more quickly.

Are you financially solid?

If you can comfortably pay your bills, have little to no debt, a healthy savings account, and your income is reliable, I want you to think outwardly. People who categorize themselves as “solid” may be tempted to spend this “free money” on a splurge item they normally might not have bought previously. I encourage these folks to be more outwardly focused on helping others and meeting real needs.

Give. (Proverbs 11:25) God blesses generosity and exclaims in scripture “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched…” The wisdom here is that God may provide more to those who are faithful to manage money for His purposes but He will definitely provide you with joy as your giving aligns with His will.

Pay off debt. (Deuteronomy 28:43-45) If the Bible says debt is a curse and you become a slave, free yourself. If you have the resources already, I encourage you to pay off your debt today and use your stimulus check to be a blessing to others in need.

Are you blessed with surplus?

If you have abundant resources which meet both your wants and needs, chances are you may not need your stimulus check or may even make too much money to qualify for receiving one. However, I still have guidance for you.

In 2015, CVC Pastor Joe Valenti preached a message entitled, “Get Fit: Financial Fitness.” During the message he asked a question which resonates with and challenges me to this day: “When’s the last time you stretched your giving to the point of faith?”

This made me reflect on what sacrificial giving truly meant. There are people who do not believe in God, nor accept Jesus Christ as their savior, yet they have an abundance of wealth and possessions. Some are even generous in donating to worthy causes. However, they are not rich toward God. Thus, I learned it isn’t about what you have, but about how you use it…for God!

Pastor and author, Andy Stanley explains in his book How to Be Rich, “Generosity helps us make a concerted effort to keep the needs of others in the forefront of our thinking. Rich people should not feel guilty, but we should feel responsible. We are called to be good stewards of the resources we have been privileged to manage.”

Thus, my encouragement to those who fall in this category whether they received a stimulus check or not:

Give. (Luke 12:48) Give radically. Give anonymously. Challenge yourself to give more sacrificially. Support your church while the building is shut down and fewer people are giving. Give to people who are hurting or in financial crisis. Support businesses that are struggling and tip generously to places that are still open. Donate supplies or resources to those on the front lines in this pandemic. Most importantly, be uncomfortably bold in doing these good deeds in the name of Jesus Christ, the One who gives a supernatural hope and new life to those that trust Him as Lord and Savior.

The Generous Life ministry at Cuyahoga Valley Church provides opportunities for people to learn about and live a blessed life by embracing biblical financial and stewardship principles in order to become a Christ-centered steward who gives generously, saves regularly, lives debt free, and understands God’s perspective on money and possessions.

During these unprecedented and challenging times, our objective is to disciple and encourage those that are hurting, help all who are in a place of fear move to a place of faith through God’s unchanging truth, and unleash the generosity of time, talents, and treasure of the church as a witness to the world of the hope and grace found in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

If you have feedback, financial questions or topics that you would like to see addressed in a future blog, please email us at generouslife@cvconline.org. We are here to serve you.

Our last week of the 30-day challenge for April lands us in a spicy book… the Song of Solomon! Keep in mind that we are just working our way through the Bible reading plan and this wasn’t done intentionally! But, being in this book for a week can have some interesting results, such as possibly contributing to the anticipated baby boom from sheltering in place! But in all seriousness, there are some unforeseen benefits that await us by spending a week in this great book of Hebrew poetry. Here are a few tips for you as you begin this book:

This is a love story. Commentators have spent centuries debating it’s author, the identity of the characters in the song, and whether the interpretation should be limited to a love story between two people or if God has a greater application in mind, extending the meaning to include God’s love for His people. I would encourage you to see this primarily as a tasteful but intoxicating love story of a couple as they celebrate their passionate love and marriage.

This song celebrates marriage. We live in a world that has lost its moral compass when it comes to what a pure, committed, enduring, and beautiful union between a man and woman should look like. This song demonstrates what a holistic marriage looks like, one that celebrates physical attraction, sensual intimacy, and a heart that is fused and committed to their beloved. And God has created all of this! This book is God’s endorsement of a passionate marriage relationship. Reading through the Song of Solomon helps cast vision for the single who longs for their future mate, creates anticipation for the engaged couple as they commit themselves to purity so that they can enjoy their wedding night, and also can renew sparks for the married couple who has had the romantic fire die down because of the challenges of life.

God is passionate about His bride. Although the Song of Solomon is a love story between and man and woman, the reader is also reminded of how marriage is a reflection of God’s love for His bride, the church. It is a mystery how Jesus so fiercely and faithfully loves his sinful bride. But when we journey through Ephesians 5:31-32, we are reminded of the love and passion Christ has for us, the church. So it’s not out of bounds to think of God’s love for you and me, the bride He has purchased with His blood. And just as we see deep longing between these to lovers in the Song of Solomon, God wants us to deeply long to be with Him, and He goes to mind-blowing lengths to demonstrate His love for us. God created us to be in relationship with Him. He went to the cross to demonstrate His love for us. He has given us His Spirit to bind us together and to sanctify for Himself a people that will be faithful to Him.

So explore, and try to figure out what doves, flowers, gazelles, pomegranates, spices, and goats have to do with expressing your love and attraction to you beloved or future beloved. And look for insights into how God loves you and has created you to love and long for Him.

To help you in understanding some of the ancient and Eastern imagery, here are a few online commentary links I recommend:

GOOD FRIDAY

Our Good Friday Online Service will take place at 7 PM on Friday, April 10 by visiting our website, the Cuyahoga Valley Church Facebook Page, or Boxcast.

Please note that an opportunity for the Lord’s Supper will be extended during this online service.

You can participate in our CVC Good Friday communion experience from your home. Communion (the Lord’s Supper) is an ordinance given to all believers by Jesus to remember His sacrifice for us. If you are a true believer in Jesus Christ and are in good standing with us at Cuyahoga Valley Church, you are invited to join us online to remember His selfless sacrifice. Consider this as an invitation, not a requirement.

If you don’t feel led to participate or if you feel uncomfortable for any reason about participating, then don’t participate. At that point in the service on Friday, simply lift up your heart in gratitude to God for the sacrifice of His Son. If you are not in the place where you consider Christ Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior or if you are unrepentant about sin in your life, then we would encourage you to pray quietly while others celebrate the Lord’s Supper together.

HOW TO TAKE COMMUNION ONLINE

Prepare your heart: Confess all known sin. Seek restoration with anyone you may have hurt or offended. God’s Word says that we should not eat of the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy way.

Gather the elements: Grape juice and bread or crackers – find elements that best approximate those that we would use for Lord’s Supper at CVC.

Prepare the juice: Serve the juice in individual small glasses for each participant. We encourage you to use glasses that you would not normally use. This will help you and your family remember the significance of Communion.

Prepare the bread or crackers: Use a special dish or tray. When you share the elements, allow people in your family to access the elements one at a time in order to maintain a safe distance from one another.

Follow the directions: The Teaching Pastor will guide you to eat and drink together with others in the CVC family of faith.

EASTER SUNDAY

On Resurrection Sunday, April 12, Easter Sunday Services Online will take place at 9:30 AM and 11 AM by visiting our website, the Cuyahoga Valley Church Facebook Page, or Boxcast. Invite your family members and friends to view these special services by inviting them to our website, or by downloading this text invite.

Like many of you, the economic impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic has become particularly personal to my family as my wife was recently notified by her company that her position was being eliminated. Also, although my job as a bank manager is considered essential and I am still employed, my level of stress has dramatically increased as I negotiate the challenges of managing an anxious staff and clients while being available 7-days a week at all hours by phone. The result: much less income, much more stress.

Similarly, many of you are facing struggles ranging from job or income loss, and the numerous consequences which come with that, to dealing with the anxiety and fearfulness of an uncertain future. To compound things, the unfortunate reality of a crisis is it can expose our weaknesses (emotionally, spiritually, relationally, and financially) causing us to struggle and lose focus which subsequently makes us even more fearful and anxious. This can become a vicious cycle which will quickly make you feel overwhelmed and powerless.

In order to break that cycle, I look to God’s truth in scripture for answers as 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…” Thus, I ask myself, “Is there scripture which speaks, directly or indirectly, to my situation?” and “How I can best apply it to my current circumstances?”

Here are 20 practical ways, with a basis in scripture, which I have found can help you work through a financial crisis:

Seek wise, Godly advice. (Proverbs 11:14, Proverbs 15:22)Get advice from those who have successfully navigated a financial crisis by managing their money according to scripture. Seek out testimonies for encouragement.

Don’t panic or make impulsive decisions. (Proverbs 12:15, Proverbs 19:20-21)Perhaps the worst thing you can do in a crisis is to make a decision in the midst of emotion and turmoil. Slow down and seek Godly counsel from spiritually mature people whom you trust.

Create and live on a budget. (Proverbs 24:27, Luke 14:28)When you have reduced or no income, it is important to wisely account for every dollar you spend. You can create a crisis budget using the template from Crown Financial found here or use free budgeting apps such as EveryDollar Basic or Mint.

Prioritize your spending. (1 Timothy 5:8)Put your family first and start with the “four walls” essentials: food, utilities, shelter, and transportation. After that, prioritize your expenses from most important (such as medical or insurance) to least important (unsecured debt such as credit cards) and pay them in that order.

Reduce expenses and be content with less. (1 Timothy 6:8, Hebrews 13:5)The Lord instructs us to be content when our basic needs are met. However, we live in a culture of consumption that tells us our “wants” are really “needs.” Make the tough choices and cut or defer unnecessary expenses. Some tips can be found here, here, and here. Many lenders and companies are willing to work with you during this crisis and defer payment or service.

Increase income. (2 Thessalonians 3:10, 1 Corinthians 10:31)Look for temporary employment with essential businesses (grocery stores, drug stores, cleaning, food delivery, package delivery, etc.) or be creative such as selling items of value on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. Explore all benefits available to you such as unemployment or stimulus money. Do not let pride become a barrier.

Build an emergency fund. (Proverbs 10:4-5, Proverbs 21:20, 1 Corinthians 16:2)Look to set aside money to be used in the event of an emergency. If you’re working, reduce your expenses and build up your savings. If you’re not getting an income, look at #6.

Be generous and serve others. (Luke 12:16-21, 2 Corinthians 8:2-3, Galatians 6:9)God’s economy is often opposite of man’s economy. For example, being outwardly focused on blessing and serving others in a time of crisis brings us joy while hoarding does not. In scripture, we see the church of Corinth who, in a test of affliction and severe poverty, was generous out of an “abundance of joy.” Crown Financial has a list of ideas on how to give more of your time, talents, and treasures here.

Avoid debt. (Proverbs 22:7, Deuteronomy 28:43-45)While the Bible never calls debt a sin, it discourages and equates it with being in bondage and a curse. Going into debt during a crisis through the use of credit cards or loans is done because it is often the simplest, easiest path to get money. However, it is short sighted and creates a larger obstacle which may harm you long after the crisis is over.

Grow spiritually and practically. (1 Corinthians 3:18)Studies show that keeping yourself mentally, spiritually, and physically engaged during a stressful time improves your outlook and emotional response. Keep to a routine, get exercise, and stay connected with people. Replace mindless activities such as Netflix and social media with developmental ones such as Right Now Media Bible studies, or Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University (free for the first 14-days), or do a Bible study by looking up all scripture references in this article.

Help others. Ask for help. (Matthew 5:42, Acts 20:35, Galatians 6:2, Hebrews 13:16)It all belongs to God, so you should be rich toward Him by caring for and loving others with what He has blessed us. If you have extra, help others. If you are hurting, it is okay to ask for help. Reach out to CVC via email or call (440) 746-0404 for guidance or opportunity to serve.

Be “one” with your spouse. (Genesis 2:24, Ephesians 5:28-33, Mark 10:8)Financial struggle and stress are an unhealthy combination for most marriages. Recognize your marriage is more important than any crisis and “lock arms” by loving and caring for each other, putting the other’s needs ahead of your own, and making thoughtful decisions together.

Involve your children. (Proverbs 22:6)Explain and teach your children, at an age appropriate level, about God’s word and what activities you will do as a family during this time, i.e. – sacrifice, no cost family time, etc.

Be honest and humble in dealing with creditors. (Proverbs 3:27-28, 1 Peter 5:6)It is tempting to “cheat on your taxes” or not give money owed to someone when you have it simply because you are anxious or fearful. As I was once told, it is always the right time to do the right thing. Do not avoid creditors, but call them and be honest about your situation.

Trust in God’s promises. (Psalm 28:7, Proverbs 3:5-6, Romans 15:13, Hebrews 13:8)John Piper once said, “You must cultivate and preserve a confidence in God when you are not in a crisis. If you wait until a crisis comes then you won’t have the resources or the depth necessary to maintain our faith well.” If your faith has no depth, you will struggle and want to rely on your own understanding and power. Focus on growing in this area each and every day.

Praise God in the storm. (Psalm 9:9, Psalm 22:3, Psalm 59:16, Psalm 107:13)It’s easy to praise God when things are going well. Choosing to praise God through a crisis can be a challenge but the truth is that God is also present in our pain, our suffering, and our times of darkness. When you praise God, you acknowledge He is sovereign, faithful, and merciful among many other things. Praise gets our focus off ourselves and back on to God. It also invites His presence as He dwells close to us when we praise Him.

Acknowledge God’s sovereignty. (Job 42:2, Luke 8:25, Matthew 10:29, Acts 4:27–28)Nature is not sovereign. Satan is not sovereign. Man is not sovereign. A virus is not sovereign. God rules them all and only He is sovereign. Knowing this truth, we can say what Job said, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”

Focus on the eternal, not the temporary. (John 6:27, John 16:25-33, Colossians 3:1-2)When you are focused on the eternal, you are focused on the unchanging character of God. You are storing up treasures in Heaven. You are focused on the bread of life. All else is fleeting and fails. For some of us, this means limiting our exposure to social media and TV, which increases anxiety and worry, and increasing our time in the Bible.

Pray. (Psalm 65:2, Psalm 66:19, Romans 12:12, Hebrews 13:21)God’s word call us to pray. Jesus prayed regularly. Prayer is saying that apart from Christ you can do nothing. Prayer keeps us humble before God. Prayer is an expression of faith in God’s power. Prayer is something that God uses to equip us and change our hearts. Prayer draws us closer to God and is a reminder that confidence in God trumps fear, thankfulness trumps selfishness, and understanding his love for us unleashes our love for others.

Find rest in Jesus. (Psalm 23:1-2, John 10:27)Everyone needs rest. However, we encounter constant stress, anxiety, and fear due to the uncertainty of our financial situation which is exhausting and robs us of our peace. Still, we think we can find peace and rest if we can simply overcome our circumstances which is ultimately futile as the world’s idea of security is an ever-moving target. The world offers us many places to look for it, but it can never deliver on the rest our souls long for because it is our separation from God that ultimately fuels those feelings of unrest.

Yet, we can still have hope as God invites us to rest through His Son, Jesus Christ. When the Lord is our shepherd, he leads us to the places of peace we need in spite of our circumstances. Consequently, if you find yourself in a need of rest or peace, look to the Lord. Allow him to lead you into green pastures and guide you alongside still waters. Trust him to take you where you need to go for the restoration of your soul. Trust in Jesus Christ, the good shepherd, as your Lord and Savior. In Him lies true rest.

If you would like to know more or need help with any of these topics, please reach out to the Generous Life ministry at Cuyahoga Valley Church. Generous Life provides opportunities for people to learn about and live a blessed life by embracing biblical financial and stewardship principles in order to become a Christ-centered steward who gives generously, saves regularly, lives debt free, and understands God’s perspective on money and possessions.

During these unprecedented and challenging times, our objective is to disciple and encourage those that are hurting, help all who are in a place of fear move to a place of faith through God’s unchanging truth, and unleash the generosity of time, talents, and treasure of the church as a witness to the world of the hope and grace found in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

If you have feedback, financial questions or topics that you would like to see addressed in a future blog, please email us at generouslife@cvconline.org. We are here to serve you.